Structural Bonding Composite with Reinforcement Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional structural bonding adhesives in structural glazing, such as silicone sealants, pose challenges in fabrication schedules due to their curing time, and existing structural bonding tapes like VHB Tape are limited in thickness, failing to maintain industry-specified face clearance and experiencing deterioration in cohesive strength during storage.
Innovation Solution
A structural bonding composite comprising a polymeric base member with adhesive surfaces and a reinforcement member to maintain a predetermined thickness, providing bonding tensile strength and eliminating the need for internal gaskets, while withstanding extreme temperatures and shear forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If structural silicone sealant is used for bonding, then bonding strength is achieved, but curing time is extended causing fabrication schedule challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bonding function and the thickness maintenance function into a single composite component. The bonding composite includes a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer for bonding and a foam core for maintaining thickness and providing compression resistance, eliminating the need for separate gaskets and fasteners that would extend assembly time.
Solution Approach 2:
The bonding composite is segmented into distinct functional layers: a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer for immediate bonding, a foam core for thickness maintenance and compression resistance, and optionally a reinforcement layer. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function efficiently without interfering with others, enabling immediate structural integrity upon assembly.
2Length of stationary object
If bonding composite thickness is increased to maintain face clearance, then face clearance is maintained, but cohesive strength deteriorates during storage
Solution Approach 1:
The bonding composite uses a composite structure combining a foam core material with pressure-sensitive adhesive layers. The foam core provides the necessary thickness for face clearance maintenance while the adhesive layers provide bonding strength. This composite structure prevents the cohesive strength deterioration that would occur in a single homogeneous material of equivalent thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the bonding composite have different properties optimized for their specific functions: the foam core provides compression resistance and thickness maintenance, while the adhesive layers provide bonding strength. This local optimization allows the composite to maintain both face clearance and cohesive strength simultaneously.
3Strength
If conventional bonding methods are used, then bonding is achieved, but additional fastening materials and internal gaskets are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single bonding composite component: bonding (adhesive layer), thickness maintenance (foam core), compression resistance (foam core), and reinforcement (optional reinforcement layer). This consolidation eliminates the need for separate internal gaskets, fasteners, and spacers, reducing device complexity while maintaining or improving bonding strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The bonding composite serves multiple functions simultaneously: it bonds surfaces together, maintains predetermined thickness for face clearance, resists compression forces, and provides reinforcement. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple separate components, simplifying the overall assembly while achieving the same or better performance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables efficient bonding of fenestration units to frame members without additional fastening materials, minimizing wait times for sealant curing and improving construction schedules by maintaining industry-specified face clearance and resisting thermal expansion and seismic forces.
Implementation Method 1
a first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer disposed on a first face of the base layer and adhered to the retaining surface of the interior stop
Implementation Method 2
a reinforcement member secured to a portion of the base member to maintain a predetermined thickness of the base member against compression applied to the first and second sides of the base member
Implementation Method 3
withstanding extreme temperatures and shear forces
Data Source
AI summary
A structural bonding composite includes a polymeric base member, a first structural adhesive layer on a first side of the base member, a second structural adhesive layer on a second side of the base member opposite the first side, and a reinforcement member secured to a portion of the base member to maintain a predetermined thickness of the base member against compression applied to the first and second sides of the base member.